President Biden surprised reporters at a White House press briefing by emphasizing Vice President Kamala Harris’s involvement in his administration, despite Harris’s campaign efforts to distance herself from his policies. This comes as Harris’s campaign struggles with low approval ratings and a perception that she is not strong enough to defeat Donald Trump.
The White House has defended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to a U.S. Army ammunition plant in Pennsylvania, dismissing Republican accusations of partisanship as a ‘political stunt.’ The visit was at Ukraine’s request to thank American workers aiding their war effort. Republican criticism stems from the fact that all elected officials present were Democrats, though this was due to standard procedure of inviting representatives of the district where the visit occurred.
President Biden is hosting the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue leaders at his Delaware estate, a move that has sparked criticism from the White House Correspondents’ Association for its lack of press access. The WHCA argues that the American public has a right to witness these historic meetings, while the White House emphasizes the importance of personal relationships in foreign policy and highlights the opportunity for reporters to see the leaders upon their departure.
The White House has met with Sikh activists to reaffirm their commitment to protecting American citizens from transnational aggression. The meeting comes ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s US visit and the introduction of the Transnational Repression Reporting Act of 2024, highlighting concerns about threats to Sikhs in the US.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lighthearted comment about supporting Kamala Harris in the upcoming US presidential elections sparked a response from the White House. Putin, known for his humor, was joking, but his remark prompted a warning from the US government to refrain from commenting on American elections.
President Biden hosted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House on Friday, with discussions focusing on Ukraine, the Middle East, China, and Iran. While the UK advocates for providing Ukraine with Western missiles, Biden remains cautious about the potential for escalation with Russia. The meeting highlighted the ongoing complexities of the global security landscape and the challenges in managing the Ukraine crisis.
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, along with other tech leaders, met with the Biden administration to discuss the future of AI development in the United States. The focus of the meeting was on government support for data center development and ensuring the US maintains its leadership in AI. The meeting also addressed the energy demands of these data centers, with the Energy Department pledging to help find clean and reliable power sources.
Avelo Airlines, a proud partner of UConn Athletics, flew the NCAA championship men’s basketball team to Washington, D.C. for a White House victory ceremony hosted by President Biden. This is the second consecutive year Avelo has flown the team to the White House, highlighting their commitment to excellence and teamwork.
The White House Historical Association and NYU Steinhardt have launched a digital exhibit exploring the use of black cloth in mourning rituals at the White House from the mid-19th to mid-20th centuries. The exhibit, curated by NYU Costume Studies student Rachel Bellis, showcases how black fabric was used to drape the White House and adorn the mourning attire of First Ladies following the deaths of eight presidents in office.
The White House has strongly denied any involvement in the resignation and departure of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The U.S. government has dismissed allegations of interference as false, stating that the Bangladeshi people should decide their own future. An interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has been established to oversee upcoming elections.
